Corset.



M. G. SOUTHWORTH.

CORSET.

APPLICATION FILED 111N327, 1913. 1,100,156, Patented June16,191 L fli Z 7 amoe/nl oz M.G. SDVTHWORTH MARIE G. SOUTHWOR'IH, OI FAYETTEVILLE, ABKAHSAS.

GOBSE'I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1914.

Application fil d 1m 27, 913- 8111 0. Re 776,141,

To all 307mm it may concern Be 1t known that I, MARIE GATES SOUTH-- WORTH, a citizen of the United States, re

'siding at Fayetteville, in the county of Washington and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

his invention relates to corsets and similar articles of wearing apparel, and has for its primary object to provide a corset of improved construction which will offer the least possible resistance to abdominal and diaphragmatic breathing.

The invention has for another object to provide a corset of improved construction whereby the constricting effect upon the upper part of the thorax as experienced in the use of the ordinary corset is entirely eliminated while that portion of the corset extending downwardly over the lower thorax will readily yield under the pressure of breathing, thus rendering my improved corset particularly desirable for use by singers, speakers and the like.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a corset wherein the objectionable upper edge at the top is eliminated, the particular design and construction of the front of the corset and the connections between the same and the back portion thereof materially conducing to the comfort of the wearer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a corset of the above character which is light in weight, cool and may be menu-- factured at comparatively small cost.

With the above and other objects in view as will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the in 'ention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which" Figures 1 and 2 are front and rear views illustrating my invention in its preferred embodiment applied to a figure; Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of a slightly modified construction of the corset. Fig. 5 is a view of the corsetshown in Figs. 3 and 4 spread out. flat. Fig. 6 is a detail section showing the means for fastening the strap ends to the corset. body.

Referring in detail to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, 5 designates the side pieces of the corset which are constructed of suitable fabric preferably non-elastic. At. their upper ends, these side pieces gradually taper or narrow to a point as indicated at 6, the forward edges thereof curving and gradually merging into the rear longitudinal edge thereof. It will be understood however, that these side pieces may consistof a suitable elastic material, if desired so that they will cling closely to the figure. The longer portions of the side pieces 5 constitute the rear or back edges of the corset and extend upwardly to a point adjacent the shoulder blades of the wearer. These side or body pieces of the corset extend around and downwardly over the wearers hips as clearly shown in the drawing. The longer rear edges of the pieces 5 are connected to the longitudinal strips 7 by means of the laces 8. A plurality of elastic straps 9 connect these longitudinal strips 7 and yieldingly hold the same against relative movement under pressure.

The front wall of the corset indicated at 10 includes the bust supporting extensions 11, said Wall consisting of two separable sections, each of which is gradually attenuated and extended from the extension 11 in the form of a firm, stiff strip 12, which will i not be liable to wrinkle. These strips of the front wall sections are provided wlth suitable fastening members 13 whereby the same may be detachably connected. The outer \rardly upon the back of the wearer. The

e astic straps 'l-lof the corset or garment at tlttll side thereof will thus permit of unrestricted expansion. These straps in conjunction with the elastic back straps t) serve to normally hold the side pieces I) closely t-rer the hips oi the wearer. It will be noted that the straps 1-1 do not extend over the upper portion'of the thorax so that free uniseular expansion and contraction induced by the hreat hing of the wearer is permitted. Tlhese straps extending over the lower portion of th thorax will readily yield or expand under pressure so thatthey will cause no discomfort.

it will be seen from the above that my improved corset may be, easily and quickly applied to and secured upon the body and tha t by the peculiar construction thereof and the "provisio of the elastic straps, the numerous disadvantages commonly found in corsets now upon the market have been eliminatcd.

My improved corset construction permits the free bodily movement of the wearer without discomfort and by the provision of the interwoven elastic straps constituting the major portion of the body of the corset,

it will be appreciated that the same is ex-- tremely light and cool. The use of the elastic straps 9 on the back of the corset relieves the wearer of the heating effect of the heavy closely woven corset body usually constituting this portion of the ordinary corset.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of my invention wherein the corset. is fastened in the back instead of the front. In this construction, the bust supporting wall 11' is formed in one piece and the lower side edges thereof are connected by the elastic straps it to the upper and front edges of the side pieces 5'. The upper ends of these side pieces are connected to the upper edge of the bust supporting wall 11 by means of the shoulder straps 15.

16 designates a plurality of elastic fastening straps secured to the front lower portion of each of the side pieces 5 as indicated at 17. The straps 16 on each of the side pieces are adapted to be extended rearwardly over the hips and detachably fastened to the rear edge of the other side piece by means of suitable fastening members provided for this purpose.

While the advantages above pointed out in connection with my invention are present in this modified construction, the form first described is preferred, in View of the ease and quickness with which the same may be fastened upon the body.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and several advantages of the invention will be clearly and fully understood. Itwill be obvious that as the same is of extremely simple construction, it may be manufactured at low cost.

M y improved corset may be worn with entire comfort and will permit of the unrestricted movement of the body without disarranging the same. The corset will also at all times retain its proper adjusted position in close engagement with the body of the wearer.

It will be observed that by means of my improved corset construction, the usual sharp upper edge is climinatcd. In corsets of the general construction, when the wearer assumes various postures, this sharp edge of the corset is outlined beneath the Waist and thus greatly detracting from the appearancc.

While I have shown and described the preferred construction of my invention, it will be obvious that the same is susceptible of considerable modification and I therefore reserve the right to resort to all such legitimate changes as may be fairl embodied within the scope of the inventlon, as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

-1. A corset comprising two similar side pieces, each having itsupper portion gradually reduced in width and extending rearwardly over the hips of the wearer when the corset is applied, yielding means between said sections to restrict relative movement of said sections at their rear edges, a bust supporting wall, and intertwined elastic straps connecting said wall at its edges to the forward edges of said side pieces, said intertwined straps extending substantially the entire length of said side pieces and over the abdomen and upper side portions of the wearers body.

2. A corset comprising two similar side pieces each having an attenuated upper ortion located rearwardly and above the iiips of the wearer when the corset is applied, means yieldably connecting said side pieces to retain the same in close engagement with the body of the wearer, a bust supporting wall consisting of two sections, means for detachably connecting said sections, and intertwined elastic straps connecting each of said sections to the forward edge of one of the side pieces.

3. A corset comprising two similar side pieces having their forward edges curved to extend above and rearwardly of the wearers hips, a bust supportin wall consistlng of two sections exten ing above the upper ends of said side pieces, means for detachably connecting said bust wall sections, each of said sections being provided with acomparatively narrow depending strip, said strips being also adapted for detachable connection to each other, elastic straps connecting the rear edges of said side pieces, and intertwined elastic straps connecting each of the bust Wall sections and the depending stri thereof to the for ward edge of one of said side pieces.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my slgnature 1n the presence of two wltnesses.

MARIE Gr. SOUTHVORTH.

Witnesses:

NELL GATES NEWMAN, LAWRENCE GATES. 

